Ahh. . .Those Little Things

Pete had a big spade.
Mary had a fat flower pot.
But Titch had the tiny seed.
And Titch's seed grew and grew and grew!
                                                                      from: Titch
                                                                 by Pat Hutchins
                                                                  Macmillan, 1971   
     I don’t usually make resolutions this time of year, so here’s a list of some of my favorite little things.
 
being awake for a rosy sunrise
catching up on the phone with a friend who I haven’t seen in years
spontaneous hugs from a grandchild
spontaneous hugs from my grown-up child
my husband’s just-for-me smile
silky figure-8 kitty leg-hugs
the winter beauty in a tree’s skeleton
my car starting the first time
mail delivered right to my front door in rain, snow, sleet or hail
children singing (whether or not I know them)
easy breathing
brisk walks in the woods on a path that is not paved
walking barefoot inside and out
keeping the light on until everyone is home
robins sucking up fat worms
sparrow song
ripe peaches
hot tea
good hair days
laughter
belly-laughs
daffodils
tilled soil
chocolate
reading a good book
 
       I was going to stop at a symbolic 17, but that didn’t seem like enough. When I finished the list, I thought of revising it. You know, making it better. Ranking the things from most to least important, or the other way round. Or maybe categorizing: family, health, nature...Or arranging them into some type of time frame, or according to each of the senses.
       These favorite little things are in the order they popped into my head. The list is incomplete, for sure. But these important things are what I’ll think of when 2017 becomes challenging.
       Oh, one more. The smell of coffee brewing any (every) day of the week! Cheers!
                                                                                                                                                      --stay curious!